OFF CAMPUS STUDENTS FORSAKEN The draconian decision by the former infamous education minister Jacob Nkate to reduce off campus allowance from the initial BWP 1920 to BWP 1420 has left off campus students in the lurch as compared to their fellow on campus students. On campus students earn a monthly maintenance allowance of BWP 1200. Their accommodation is being paid for by the government at BWP 980 per month since each UB undergraduate room is valued at BWP 35 per night. This means that on campus students get an overall allowance of BWP 2180 per month as compared to off campus students who are forced to pay their monthly rentals from their BWP 1420. Each conducive room (electrified and hygienic) for a varsity student is valued at P500-800 in Gaborone and surrounding areas. From their paltry P1420, off campus students are forced to pay P800 hence remaining with P600. Whereas on campus students do not worry about transport, off campus students are forced to pay close to P150 (P3.50*2*5*4) for transport assuming she commutes within Gaborone. In addition, transport fees are subjected to change. From the remaining P450, the neglected off campus student is supposed to buy food, toiletry and cooking gas. On campus students are living a lavish life as they have limited expenses. (food and toiletry). They have been promised to be paid off campus allowance during winter vacations on the lame reason that they have to accommodate their property as they are forced to vacate UB rooms at the end of the semester. Off campus students have been suppressed for so long and they need urgent assistance. The recommendation to the government: • To reduce the number of government sponsored students. As it stands there are about 60000 government sponsored students. By decreasing the number of government sponsored students, the government will be able to give maximum support to the limited number of students. As such the government must increase the minimum points required to acquire government sponsorship. Nkate’s proposed minimum of 40 points in 2009 was a good move, as it stands the minimum point requirement is 34. • The cost sharing initiative might be possible even though government’s salaries for civil servants are mere peanuts. Students from wealthly families must be excused from maintenance allowance. • Mmegi newspaper has revealed that UB is dominated by support staff. UB ‘s core business is academics as such it must invest in academic related activities. UB students must be constantly involved in researches and practical activities than theoretical as it stands. UB’s main interest is not to be the leading university in Africa but to make money. • One of the pressing issue that is even unfortunate is to see UB graduates roaming the streets while well equipped with their degrees. They are being forced to engage themselves in the internship programme (Ipelegeng ya Dialogane). The programme that has received nation-wide criticism is still on going. The government is fond of providing cheap labour to private companies and exploiting the helpless graduates. Most of the ill-conceived BDP led government programmes are responsible for emptying its coffers. The interns, Ipeleng workers, special constables are not taxable since they earn less than P3600. As such the is no cash flow within the government. • There are employment opportunities in Botswana. Why is that foreigners have seen that as evidenced by the escalating demand for citizenship? The government of ours ‘recycles’ its civil servants hence blocking the way for new fresh graduates. They require 10 years’ experience for a graduate, how possible is that. Foreign companies that invest in this country come with their own human resource; Batswana are only employed as cleaners and security guards…the least paying jobs. Chinese companies recruit their engineers whereas we have our own. • The termination of Poloko Pitwane’s sponsorship is a wake up call for us as youth, we will never be silenced over our grievances, the struggle continues. Ga re na go swa senku. I will rather die as a martyr for my stern beliefs than to surrender and turn into a puppet. Yours in struggle Jason Ranthatsa
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:30:19 +0000
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